sherwood



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALEX. DOUGLAS AND SAML. S. SHERWOOD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FASTENING FOR SKIRT-HOOPS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 21,747, dated October 12, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ALEXANDER DOUGLAS and SAMUEL S. SHERWOOD, of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented an Improvement in Detachable Fastenings for Ladies Skirt- I-Ioops, the construction and operation of which we have described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings with sufficient clearness to enable competent and skilful workmen in the arts to which it pertains or is most nearly allied to make and use our invention.

Our said invention is intended to facilitate the removal of the hoops for the purpose of washing the skirt, and their attachment again after the skirt is washed and done up. Said improvement consists in the combination of a clasp which embraces the ends of the hoop, and has an opening upon one side to receive the end of the link, with a spring link which passes through both the clasp and the ends of the hoop and is retained in proper position by resting in an opening in the side of the clasp, while yet it is so constructed as to be readily removed to release the clasp and the ends of the hoop as hereinafter more fully set forth.

Our invention is represented in the accompanying drawings as follows: Figure 1, is a plan of a steel skirt hoop with our improvement attached, and the ends secured thereby. Fig. 2, is a side elevation of the same parts. Fig. 3, is a reverse view of the same, showing the opening in the clasp to receive the loop. Fig. 4C, is a horizontal section of the same device. Fig. 5, is a transverse sectional elevation. Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the clasp separated from the other parts. Fig. 7 is a plan of the spring link or fastening also separated from the other parts.

A A are the ends of the hoop. These ends, after the hoop has been inserted into the skirt, are embraced by a loosely fitting clasp B as shown in the drawings. This clasp is made by folding over the edges of a piece of sheet metal as shown in Fig. 6. Small holes are punched in the ends of the hoop and a corresponding hole is punched in that side of the clasp which is left entire, to receive the link or fork or loop C which is made of elastic wire. Either steel or brass wire will answer well for the purpose if in an elastic state. The range of elasticity, and also the flexibility of either may be increased by fiattening the bow of the link, should it be considered desirable. These links or loops O are made open at one end as shown, and in the process of manufacture it is so bent that the elasticity of the metal shall. have a tendency to keep its ends together. After the ends of the hoop are in position in and upon each other one prong of the link or fork is put through the holes in the ends of the hoop and in the clasp and passed in till the bow end of the link is brought into the hole so as to allow said link to be turned into the position in which it is represented in the Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, one prong or fork resting in the slot or opening which is left between the edges of the clasp, by which the parts are efiectually secured in position, this position or arrangement of the link while it secures it from working out, also securing it in such a manner that it is out of the way.

We are aware that clasps and various other devices have been used to fasten the ends of skirt hoops. lVe are also aware that a slide has been used, in combination with a rivet as a fastening, for other purposes, but all these contrivances fail in some essential particular to possess the requisites necessary to make such an article as the necessities of the case demand. e do not claim any of these devices, neither do we claim separately any part of the combination we have described above.

The particular improvement which constitutes our said invention and which we claim as having been originally and first invented by us is The combination of the link or loop O with the clasp B having an opening in its side to receive and retain one prong of said loop, and with the hoop substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

ALEX. DOUGLAS. SAML. S. SHERVOOD.

lVitnesses J AMES O. GATES, GEORGE B. VVHITING. 

